Azerbaijan, Armenia Clashes Damage Church As World Rushes For Ceasefire
Armenia says neighboring Azerbaijan has attacked a historic cathedral in the mountain enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh amid raging battles over the contested region.
Turkey
US reportedly in talks about moving its military base out of Turkey and into either Greece or the UAE
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has had talks with Greek Prime Minister Kyrias Mitsotakis about possibly transferring its highly strategic US airbase from Turkey to Greece, DEBKAfile sources have revealed. The US is also reportedly in talks with Crown Prince Mohamed Bin Zayed of the United Arab Emirates about moving the Turkish base to the Gulf state.
Armenia Ready To Discuss Ceasefire As Conflict Escalates
Armenia says it is ready to discuss a ceasefire in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh, where heavy fighting between Armenian and Azerbaijani forces in recent days has killed dozens and left scores wounded. The announcement comes amid international calls to end the most significant escalation in years.
President of Armenia says Caucasus region may become “another Syria”
The Armenian President warned the international community Wednesday that Caucasus, a region disputed by former Soviet republics Armenia and Azerbaijan, may become “another Syria,” CNBC reported Wednesday. President Armen Sarkissian gave the warning after fighting broke between Armenia and Azerbaijan in the South Caucasus on Sunday.
Russia, France and the U.S. call for an immediate cease-fire in Armenian-Azerbaijani clashes
Russia, France, and the U.S. on Thursday issued calls for an immediate cease-fire between Armenia and Azerbaijan as clashes between the two rivals sparked recently over the disputed enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh killing dozens of people and threatening to drag nearby Turkey and Russia into a direct military confrontation.
EU consider deployment of military observers to Libya if a ceasefire holds
The European Union is considering the possible high-risk deployment of EU military observers to Libya in the event a ceasefire holds in the war-torn North African country, Politico reports. Libya has been the scene of a years-long civil war between Tripoli’s UN-backed Government of National Accord headed by Fayez al-Sarraj, and rebel General Khalifa Haftar, leader of the Libyan National Army (LNA).
Israel Politician: ‘Latest Agreements Israel and Arab States Foretold In Biblical Prophecy’
A leading Jewish commentator and politician says the agreements that Israel signed this week with the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain are of “biblical proportions” and foretold in prophecy. Dov Lipman, a former legislator of Israel’s centrist Yesh Atid (“There Is a Future”) party, noted that Scriptures detail the tensions between the two sons of the Biblical patriarch Abraham.
EU Chief Von der Leyen Wants Britain and Russia in First Union Speech
European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen has given her first State of the Union speech with angry words about Britain’s plans to renegotiate its divorce deal with the EU.
Turkey, Russia nearing deal on Libya ceasefire, political process
Turkey and Russia have moved closer to an agreement on a ceasefire and political process in Libya during their latest meetings in Ankara, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu told an interview with broadcaster CNN Turk late on Wednesday.
Israel launches airstrikes in Syria on 9/11 to destroy missiles
It appears Israel launched airstrikes in northern Syria to destroy a missile production facility on Friday, the 19th anniversary of the terrorists attacks on the United States, according to a private Israeli intelligence firm.
Pompeo urges diplomacy in standoff over Mediterranean gas
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Saturday called for a diplomatic solution to the confrontation between Greece and Turkey over energy reserves in east Mediterranean waters, saying ongoing military tensions between two NATO allies only serve the alliance’s foes.
Iran and Turkey forming “strong foundation” for “cooperation”
Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani and Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan are working toward forming a “strong foundation” for future, high level “cooperation,” the leaders’ respective national media have reported. The Turkish and Iranian media reports followed a video conference the two leaders held on Tuesday, the Jerusalem Post said.
IDF strikes Hamas targets in Gaza for 10th straight day
The IDF conducted strikes by air and from tank fire on Thursday on targets in Gaza for 10th straight day after incendiary devices launched from the Strip caused 42 fires in communities in the south.
Joel Rosenberg says Israel-UAE agreement may have prophetic significance
Following the recent announcement that Israel and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have agreed to normalize relations, best-selling author and Middle East expert Joel Rosenberg told CBN News the move may have prophetic Biblical significance.
Iran, Turkey lash out at UAE over agreement with Israel
Iran and Turkey lashed out at their regional rival the United Arab Emirates on Friday over its decision to normalize diplomatic relations with Israel, accusing it of betraying the Palestinian cause, even as much of the international community welcomed the move.
US Action Against IS Financier Shows Jihadists’ Cash Flow Continues from Turkey
The U.S. designation last week of a new Turkey-based member of the notorious Rawi Network for allegedly facilitating money transfers to the Islamic State (IS) in Syria has raised fresh concerns among observers that jihadists continue to use Turkey to fund their activities in Syria.
Turkey has begun forcing foreign Christians to leave
Foreign Christians are being told to leave Turkey and others have been barred from re-entering the country, Morning Star News reported Sunday. Rights advocates have said the Turkish government seems to be purposefully aiming such actions against Protestant Christians.
Erdogan: Turkey to remain in Syria ‘until Syrian people are free’
President Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday that Turkish forces, which have carried out several incursions into northern Syria since 2016, would remain in the country until Syrians can live in freedom and safety.
Erdogan Defies the West to Make Turkey a Regional Power
When President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reopens Istanbul’s Hagia Sophia for prayers next week, it will be the crowning symbol of his mission to reassert Turkey’s role as a Muslim power on the global stage. Yet Turkey’s rarely seemed more alone.
US, Gulf Nations Issue Sanctions on 6 Targets for Ties to Islamic State
The United States and six Gulf countries on Wednesday imposed sanctions on six targets Washington has accused of supporting Islamic State operations, including by funneling hundreds of thousands of dollars to leaders of the group in Iraq and Syria.